Huntsville State Park Trail

Huntsville, Texas

Huntsville State Park opened in 1938, which makes it one of the oldest parks in Texas. The Civilian Conservation Corps built a dam just below where Little Chinquapin and Big Chinquapin Creeks join to form Prairie Branch, creating 210-acre Lake Raven, the park’s centerpiece. After floods in 1940 caused severe damage to the dam, the park was closed until 1956, following engineering studies, construction of a new spillway and dam, and restocking of the lake.
The age of the park and its location in the Sam Houston National Forest, near the western edge of the Southern Pine Belt, have allowed the loblolly and shortleaf pines here to grow to amazing heights. This hiking trail circles the lake, through these impressive woods and across swamps and streams. Nineteen wooden bridges along the way are numbered with plaques, and the numbers are also on the park’s trail map, making it easy to track your progress.

"Huntsville State Park opened in 1938, which makes it one of the oldest parks in Texas. The Civilian Conservation Corps built a dam just below where Little Chinquapin and Big Chinquapin Creeks join to form Prairie Branch, creating 210-acre Lake Raven, the park’s centerpiece. After floods in 1940 caused severe damage to the dam, the park was closed until 1956, following engineering studies, construction of a new spillway and dam, and restocking of the lake.

The age of the park and its location in the Sam Houston National Forest, near the western edge of the Southern Pine Belt, have allowed the loblolly and shortleaf pines here to grow to amazing heights. This hiking trail circles the lake, through these impressive woods and across swamps and streams. Nineteen wooden bridges along the way are numbered with plaques, and the numbers are also on the park’s trail map, making it easy to track your progress."

We did the Chinquapin Trail which is 6.8 miles long in about 2 and a half hours. It was a very nice trail mostly covered so we didn't have to use sunscreen. Constantly slight changes in elevation make it a good workout. Wildlife wasnt as plentiful as expected, but we did see a woodpecker and two very small deer. Very nice sitting point / walking point elevated over lake makes for good photo opportunities. well kept up, friendly staff and the opportunity to go horseback riding, camping and canouing make this a fun place.